The most prized quarterback grad transfer in college football is heading to Norman. In a piece penned for The Players Tribune, former Alabama signal caller Jalen Hurts announced his decision to play the final year of his college football career for the Oklahoma Sooners, making him the latest in a line of transfers to line up under center for the four-time defending Big 12 champions.
Hurts made it a point to express his appreciation for Alabama, both the football program and its fans. He told the story of getting a scholarship offer from Saban, visiting Tuscaloosa, and never taking another visit to any other school, because “it was just love at first site.” While Hurts called getting benched for Tua Tagovailoa in the 2018 national title game “tough,” he cited his faith as a reason why he’s “tougher.”
Hurts went on to explain that Alabama will forever hold a special place in his heart before announcing his long-awaited college decision.
Now, I’m an alumnus of the University of Alabama.
Now I’m Bama for LIFE — and that right there will never change!
But now it’s also time for me to start a new chapter in my story.
I’ve decided to take my talents to the University of Oklahoma, where I will continue my development as both a quarterback and as a student.
I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity, and I’m excited for the journey ahead.
Prior to committing to the Sooners, Hurts reportedly took visits to Oklahoma, Maryland, and Miami. The Terrapins were considered an attractive option because their recent head coaching hire, Mike Locksley, served as Hurts’ offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, were in the market for a transfer quarterback, but instead landed Ohio State transfer Tate Martell.
Still, this is a great acquisition by Oklahoma and a really smart move by Hurts. The Sooners have quite the reputation with transfer quarterbacks, as their last two starting signal callers, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, started their careers elsewhere before winning the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma.
This isn’t to say that Hurts is guaranteed to win the Big 12 or secure a Heisman Trophy or anything, but this is as ideal of a situation as both sides can find themselves in right now. Hurts is heading to a blue blood where he’ll get the opportunity to start, while Oklahoma lands a really good quarterback to, if everything works out, lead their team as prized five-star freshman Spencer Rattler get groomed to take over in the future.
